Inflatable or spring loaded thumb and/or finger(s)

ABSTRACT

A novelty inflatable and/or spring loaded thumb and/or finger or fingers would be constructed in one of two (2) ways: 1) with an internally concealed air bladder or pouch, and elongated spring throughout the length of the thumb and/or finger(s), or 2) with just an internally concealed elongated spring. In both versions the air bladder/pouch and/or the spring would be molded within a soft, stretchable, rubber-like material comprising the thumb and/or finger(s). In the inflatable version, the thumb and/or finger(s) would be connected to a battery-operated mini air compressor that would fill the internal bladder to a limited pressure thereby extending the thumb and/or finger(s) to their maximum length and width. In the spring only version, the thumb and/or finger(s) would have a release button that would lock the compressed spring in place until the user presses it, thereby releasing the spring and projecting the thumb and/or finger(s) to their maximum height. In the inflatable version, the internal spring would be implemented to retract the thumb and/or finger(s) back to its/their original shape &amp; length. In the spring released design, the spring would be directly opposite to the inflatable version, in that it would be in a compressed state so that it would project the thumb and/or finger(s) outward, to its/their maximum height, when released by the user. The thumb and/or finger(s) could be constructed in a variety of options such as the “thumbs up” version, the “flip the finger” version, the “number one” version, the “peace sign” version, and the “Texas Longhorns” version, among others.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/272,588 filed Oct. 8, 2009. The contents of thisprior provisional application are incorporated by reference herein.

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4,486,975 December 2002 Harreld et al 446/2204,582,317 April 1986 Provenzano, Jr 272/8 D. 364,357 November 1995Ledgerwood II D10/33 6,108,817 August 2000 Kostelac  2/159 0,193,562August 2009 Magglo  2/158 A1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novelty products for the thumb and/or fingeror fingers. In particular, the invention is designed to be worn over thethumb and/or finger(s) with what appears to be either a normal lookingthumb and/or finger(s). The design could also be constructed to lookabnormal in appearance, (i.e.—the fingers of a witch, a mummy, a rottedcorpse, etc.). When the thumb and/or finger(s) is/are either inflated orsprung outward, the digits will extend to an abnormal length, creatingthe appearance of an exaggerated gesture. In the inflatable design boththe length and width would be affected.

Viewers would see what appears to be a relatively normal thumb and/orfinger or fingers. Then, when the user activates the invention, theviewer would witness a surprising and sudden elongation of the digit ordigits. Since thumb and finger gestures are common for people to use asa form of expression, the novelty inflatable and/or spring loaded thumband/or finger or fingers would be added fun for both children andadults.

Novelty gags and illusionary gaffs that create false human appearancesand unusual deformities are very popular among people worldwide. Anentertaining gaff item for the human body, that requires little or nopractice to use, which is easy to put on, can create lighthearted funfor individuals and their friends. Reducing or eliminating anycomplication from using or wearing a gaff is by far more popular and ingreater demand than those that take practice and/or are complicated touse or set up.

In the design of U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,975 to Harreld et al., the entirehand is permanently embodied in a gesturing position of the “number one”sign. It also proposes an option for the “victory” gesture. In thisdesign, the aperture is worn like a glove and appears as an enlargedhand. Also, the gesture is permanently depicted when inflated and is notbased on illusionary action. As to U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,317 toProvenzano, Jr., depicts the embodiment of a complete hand that operatesautonomously, aided by an electric motor. This invention featuresvibration of the hand and the centrifugal motion of one finger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, a soft,malleable, rubber-like material, in the shape of a thumb, and/or fingeror multiple of fingers conceals either of two (2) constructions: 1) Aninternal bladder which, when filled with air, causes the human-like orabnormal digit to slowly elongate to approximately twice the size of anormal digit, with a lesser degree of widening. A small, hand-held,battery-operated, air compressor is attached to the lower extremity ofthe digit(s) and is concealed with the user's palm. When a button ispressed on the compressor, air is forced into the bladder of the thumband/or finger or fingers causing it/them to elongate and widen into anexaggerated gesture. When the air pressure is released, a retractingspring enables the digit or digits to return to their original length.2) A spring loaded thumb and/or finger or fingers whereas the springstarts in a compressed state giving the digit the appearance ofapproximate normal size. The user presses a small, concealed releaseswitch and the thumb and/or finger or fingers immediately eject forwardinto an elongated gesture. The digit or digits can then be retractedmanually back to the original size, and would be retained by a lockingclip on the release mechanism.

The novelty inflatable and/or spring loaded thumb and/or finger orfingers can be worn indiscriminately at any given time and does notrequire any practice or skill. The embodiment would be stretchableenough to enable usage for both children and adults. The invention givesthe appearance, to an observer, that the wearer is posing a common“thumbs up,” “victory,” or other aforementioned gesture. When the usereither inflates or ejects the novelty thumb and/or finger or fingers,the observer witnesses the surprising transformation. The designs couldvary from being humorous and absurd to offensive and bizarre.

The invention could be easily carried in the user's pocket or purseuntil the desired intent for usage is determined.

It is therefore a primary objective to the present invention to providea novelty and amusement device that simulates a casual or suddenexaggerated thumb and/or finger-like gesture to nearby onlookers.

Another objective is to provide a simulated single or set of thumb-likeand/or finger-like digits that is simple and easy to transport and use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its construction concepts will be better understoodupon reviewing the following detailed descriptions and accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the hand depicting the concealed aspect,which embodies the air compressor construction design and an inflatableindex finger, as placed in the palm of the hand prior to usage.

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the hand depicting the concealed aspect,which embodies the spring loaded construction design of an index finger,as placed on the index finger of the hand prior to usage.

FIG. 3 depicts the viewer's perspective of a user's clenched handgesturing the “thumbs up” sign, while wearing the current invention.

FIG. 4 depicts the viewer's perspective of a user's clenched handgesturing the “thumbs up” sign, after releasing a spring-loaded versionof the current invention.

FIG. 5 is a single packaged version of the current invention for usewith either the index finger, or middle finger, wherein the mini aircompressor design is utilized.

FIG. 6 is a single packaged version of the current invention for usewith either the index finger, or middle finger, wherein thespring-loaded design is utilized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is subject to embodiment in a variety offorms, there is demonstrated in the drawings and will hereinafter bedescribed a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding thatthe present submission is to be considered an exemplification of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiment illustrated.

It should be further understood that the title of this section, namely“Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention,”relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and doesnot imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosedherein.

Referring now to the figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, depicting theaspect of the hand, concealed from the observer, whereas the indexfinger version 11 has been selected and the mini air compressor 12 modelis demonstrated. Further detail of the construction characteristics ofthe compressor 12 will be described herein when referencing FIG. 5. Inthe example of FIG. 1 the general size and shape are displayed, alongwith the physical positioning of the mini air compressor 12 within thehand. The clear plastic air tube 13 is also depicted as it travels fromthe compressor 12 to the falsetto index finger 11. In this example,since the remaining four digits are not being used, the air compressor's12 other four outlets 14 at the base are capped. In this version, asadditional digits are purchased, the outlets 14 can be uncapped, and thenew tubes 13 connected. Also illustrated is the retracting spring 15,which in this version is in a state of rest, under no tension. Thisspring 15 assists the falsetto finger to retract to its original shape,after each usage. In this design, the user simply presses the inflationbutton 16 and the false finger 11 slowly and methodically lengthens andexpands. Pressing the air release button 17 will deflate the falsefinger.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the spring-loaded version of the presentinvention is depicted, again using the index finger version 11. In thissimpler construction, the falsetto finger 11 is placed over the user'sreal index or middle finger. In this design a propulsion spring 18 isincorporated so that, following release by the user triggering theactivation button 19, the propulsion spring 18 forces the finger toextend, suddenly and dramatically. Further detail of the constructioncharacteristics of the spring-loaded design will be described hereinwhen referencing FIG. 6.

An example of what a typical observer would see, from the currentinvention, is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this depiction, the“thumbs up” gesture is exemplified, using the spring-loaded version ofthe current invention. In FIG. 3, the user is wearing the spring-loadedversion of a false thumb. In FIG. 4, the user has pressed the activationbutton 19. The results are immediate.

In FIG. 5 the entire embodiment of an air compression version 12 of thecurrent invention is illustrated utilizing a single false finger 11. Thefinger 11 would be comprised of two embodiments; one, an inner lining 20fabricated from material such as soft rubber, latex or elastic vinylthat will fit immediately over the user's finger; the other, an outerembodiment 21 made from similar material but cut much longer and moreflexible than the inner, and molded to look like a real finger. Theouter 21 will be painted to resemble a human finger or thumb, but theaforementioned possibilities of a variety of other designs could beincorporated. The two embodiments 20 & 21 will be fused together at thebase by a liquid rubber or latex, where the clear plastic air tube 13 isadjoined, to enable air to flow in between the two embodiments, therebycreating the illusion of growth. The retraction spring 15 will likely bemade from a thin, light metal or durable plastic material and willremain in a state of rest until the false finger 11 or thumb isinflated. The air compressor 12 would be battery operated and made outof hard plastic.

In FIG. 6 the entire embodiment of a spring-loaded version of thecurrent invention is illustrated utilizing a single false finger 11. Thefinger 11, as illustrated within FIG. 5, would be comprised of twoembodiments; one, an inner lining 20 fabricated from material such assoft rubber, latex or elastic vinyl that will fit immediately over theuser's finger; the other, an outer embodiment 21 made from similarmaterial but cut much longer and more flexible than the inner, andmolded to look like a real finger. The outer 21 will be painted toresemble a human finger or thumb, but the aforementioned possibilitiesof a variety of other designs could be incorporated. The two embodiments20 & 21 will be fused together at the base by a liquid rubber or latex,however, in this version, the two embodiments will not be airtight, anda cutout slot 22 is incorporated to enable the user to easily resetpropulsion spring 18 after each usage. The propulsion spring 18 willlikely be made from a thin, light metal or durable plastic material andwill be compressed before each usage. The propulsion spring 18 caneasily be activated by touching the activation button 19 using of one ofthe other fingers or thumb, in this case. The activation button 19 isconnected to a small retaining armature 23 that holds the compressedspring in place. A small stabilizing spring 24 is looped around the baseof the propulsion spring keeping the activation button 19 in a “charged”position and the retaining armature 23 in a “locking” position.

The preceding description and the appended drawings are provided toillustrate and describe the preferred embodiment of the novelty eyepatch with artificial eye or eyelid assembly of the present invention.Although a description of the preferred embodiment has been presented,various changes, including those mentioned above, could be made withoutdeviating from the spirit of the present invention. It is desired,therefore, that reference be made to the appended claims rather than tothe foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

1. A novelty device in the form of an interactive, expandable thumband/or finger or fingers comprising: a member of soft, malleable,rubber-like material constructed and painted in the form of anextendable thumb, finger or fingers and adapted to fit over a user'sthumb, finger, or fingers respectively; means for extending the lengthof the member; and an activation button operable by a user to activatethe means for extending to lengthen the member when fit over the user'sthumb, finger or fingers.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the meansfor extending is selected from the group consisting of an air compressorfor inflating the member to extend the length of the member and aspring, which can be compressed to a compressed state and uponexpansion, extends the member.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein themeans for extending includes an air compressor and means for conveyingpressurized air from the air compressor into the member to extend thelength thereof.
 4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a releasevalve to release pressurized air from within the member and a retractingspring, which assists the member to restore its original form uponrelease of the pressurized air.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein theair compressor is battery-operated and has a size which fits into theuser's hand for concealment from an observer.
 6. The device of claim 3,wherein the member includes an internal air bladder and a retractingspring, pressurized air from the compressor inflating the bladder andextending the length of the member.
 7. The device of claim 6, whereinthe air bladder is formed between two similar components of the member,which are air-sealed together.
 8. The device of claim 2, wherein themeans for extending includes a spring, which can be compressed to acompressed state and which upon expansion extends the member.
 9. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein the extended spring can be reset manually tothe compressed state by a user and wherein the device includes a lockingmember for retaining the spring in the compressed state prior to anotherexpansion.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is formed withan appearance selected from the group consisting of a natural humanappearance and an unnatural inhuman appearance.